ISLAMABAD, July 2: The government has decided not to increase Haj air charges this year and the matter will be finally approved by the federal cabinet on Wednesday.

According to official sources, the new Haj policy will also be approved by the cabinet. Under the directives of President Gen Pervez Musharraf, the minister for finance and the minister for religious affairs held a detailed meeting on Tuesday and finalised financial matters relating to Haj.

Although PIA was seeking increase in the Haj fair, both the ministers were of the view that intending pilgrims needed to be offered some relief, therefore, no increase should be allowed at least during this Haj season.

“So we will be charging the same rates of last year for everything that relates to Haj,” an official said, adding that the president was against increasing Haj charges and had asked both the ministers to sort out the issue in favour of the intending pilgrims.